You want to buy a new single handed fly rod, maybe it's your very first fly fishing rod to buy or your 10th — This guide has something for both options. We want to prepare you in the best possible way before your purchase, so that you make the right choice, and find a fly rod that suits your fly fishing for a long time to come.
What is action on a fly rod?
The word action in the world of fly fishing means how a fly rod bends under load and really has nothing to do with how slow or fast the rod in question is, which is a common misconception. A fly rod with deep action can also be a fast rod and vice versa a fly rod with topping action can be slow. Now you might have had to think a little. BUT. Most of the time, a top action fly rod is a fast rod and a deep action fly rod is a slow ditto, and this information will also be used as we move forward in this guide.
So what do the different actions look like and what is meant by them?
Broadly speaking, there are three different actions you talk about, that is, top action, medium action and deep action. See picture below.
The image above describes how the fly rod should bend when loaded with the line weight recommended by the manufacturer.
Which action should you choose then?
The answer to that question is not entirely easy to pin down, as this is most often a personal preference. But there are guidelines to follow.
Top/fast action:
The advantage of a fast fly rod is its casting characteristics, these rods possess a greater power reserve, a power reserve that allows you to have a higher line speed and thus cast further. The fact that the fly rod does not bend so deeply also contributes to tighter bows.
This is a type of action that is unforgiving and requires a lot of timing from the caster.
Medium action:
This can still be said to be the most common type of action on today's fly rods. An action that extends halfway down the blade. Unlike the fast action, this type of action is more suitable for the inexperienced caster, of course for experienced fly fishermen as well. As the rod bends progressively from the top downwards, you as the caster can feel when the fly rod is loaded, you therefore feel that it is getting heavier and when it is time to start the next part of the cast.
Deep/Slow Action:
A deep or slow action is when the rod bends all the way down to the handle or well on its way there. An action that requires patience from the thrower, where you have to follow the rhythm of the fly rod and not stress your throws. Actions like these lend themselves well to dry fly fishing in smaller waters with thin claws. Deep bending of the rod means that it absorbs shocks and jerks from hooked fish in a better way and thus puts less pressure on thin claw tips.
Which class of fly rod is right for your fly fishing?
Choosing the right class on your fly fishing rod is important for you to get the most out of your fly fishing. Which class suits you is determined by the size of the species you are fishing for, the size of the flies you intend to use and the size of the water. Let's go through the classes from class #0 - #10, to give you an understanding of what they are normally used for.
Class #0-2
A very low class on a fly rod. These are classes of rods that do not have very many users. These classes are suitable for those who fish for trout in small streams and waterways.
Class #3-5
These classes are common among fly fishermen, but may still be classified as light fly rods. A Class #3 fly rod around 7-8 feet in length is a popular choice for dry fly fishing for trout, grayling, char and rainbow in less flowing water. A class #4 fly rod also works when the flowing water gets a little wider and a longer cast is needed, with a class #4 rod you can also start casting weighted nymphs without worry. If we then move on to a class #5 fly rod, we can state that this class is among the most common out among our trout waters. A class #5 fly rod handles long casts if required, you can fish with dry flies, nymphs and smaller streamers, a good all round fly rod.
Class #6-7
A class #6 fly rod is, according to the undersigned, the most all-round fly rod of them all. Do you want to fish for trout, grayling, rainbow and char, in flowing water, but also in lakes. Then a class #6 fly rod is what handles most, with this you can also start throwing slightly larger streamers with the right type of fly line. If we then move on to a class #7 fly rod, we have the most common class for fly fishing for sea trout, but also for dedicated streamer fishing.
Class #8-10
These classes are used for fishing for predators, such as pike, in our lakes. But they are also used for single-handed fishing for salmon and sea trout.
Class #10+
Now we start talking about powerful one-handed fly rods. These are used almost exclusively for tropical fishing for species such as Permit, Tarpoon, Bonefish and Giant Trevally and more.
The handle of a fly rod
Most fly rods have a cork handle, a material that is light and feels good in the hand both wet and dry. The design of the handles varies but there are three main types, half wells, full wells and cigar handles. Half wells are the most common type of handle on rods from Class #6 and down, on Single Hand Fly Rods which is Class #7 and up you will also find quite a few full wells handles. Cigar The handle is the rarer, but occurs mainly on lighter rods.
I hope this guide gave you a little more meat on your legs for your choice of single handed fly rod, but of course I am humble enough to realize that the guide does not cover everything. So don't hesitate to contact us regarding your planned purchase, and we will guide you to a one-handed fly rod that suits you and your fly fishing, Contact Us.
Take care!
Emil - Fly Fishing Market